Textile dyeing and finishing, method and product



Jan. 23, 1945. 2,367,730

TEXTILE DYEING AND FINISHING, METHOD AND PRODUCT C. H. MASLAND, 2D

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TEXTILE DYEING AND FINISHING, METHOD AND PRODUC'I:

Filed Nov. 20, 1940 5' Sheets-Sheet 4 Jan. 23, 1945. c. JM 20 2,367,730

TEXTILE DYEING AND FINISHING, METHOD AND PRODUCT Filed NOV. 20, 1940S'Sheets-Sheet 5 mmml'iillmnmm atenied Jan. 23, 1945 TEXTILE DYEING ANDFINISHING, METHOD AND PRODUCT Charles Henry Masland, 2nd, near Carlisle,Pa. Application November 20, 1940, Serial No. 366,354

3 Claims.

The present invention relates to processes for dyeing, treating, drying,curing and/or manipulating textile fiber, and to the fiber and yarnproduced.

The claims directed to the textile dyeing and finishing apparatus havebeen divided into application Serial No. 408,121, filed August 23, 1941,and the claims directed to the process of making a pile fabric have beendivided. into application Serial No. 408,122, filed August 23, 1941.

A purpose of the invention is toobtain substantially uniformdistribution of solid color on artificial textile fiber which exhibitssubstantivity, particularly variant substantivity and exces- 'sivesubstantivity.

A further purpose is to supply solid color to artificial textile fiberof excessive substantivity at a rate less than the substantivity.

A further purpose is to fix solid color on artificial textile fiber ofvariant substantivity or ex cessive substantivity before redistributionof color under the influence of substantivity can take place.

A further purpose is to dye artificial textile fiber continuously inband form, avoiding the difliculties of batch operation.

A further purpose is to supply solid color to artificial textile fiberof large diameter in volumetrically measured quantities which areproportioned to the length of the fiber or of a fiat band containing thefiber, desirably by printing from intaglio-engraved rolls. The measuredapplication of color will in the ordinary case occur on both sides ofthe fiber band. The color application will desirably take place at aplurality of points on each side of the fiber band.

A further purpose is to size artificial textile fiber continuouslyand/or render it water-repellent by handling the fiber as an unwovenband.

A further purpose is to progress artificial textile fiber in-band formthrough an aqueous solution of urea formaldehyde, desirably maintainedhot and uniform by recirculation from a heated reservoir, andsubsequently to dry, cure and wash the fiber, all as a continuousprocess.

A further purpose isto terminate the drying of artificial textile fiberwhich has been subjected to treatment with a resinous sizing. at amoisture level of at least 12%v and preferably at least 15% of the dryweight of 'thefiber, in order to'facilitate the spinning of the fiberinto yarn.-

A further purpose is to apply sizing, desirably urea formaldehyde, priorto spinning, to crimped artificial textile fiber of large diameter inorder to assist in maintaining the crimp during spinning and to obtaingreater covering power.

A further purpose is to print color on fiber in band form priortospinning so that any remaining unevenness of color level may becorrected by drafting incident to spinning.

A further purpose is to print on a fiber band of uniform thickness bypassing the fiber band through a liquid, suitably a, prewetting bath,removing the fiber band continuously from the liquid by bringing theband while beneath the surface of the liquid into contact with a movingsurface, desirably the cylindrical surface of a drum, carrying the fiberband above the surface of the liquid while the fiber band is in contactwith the moving surface, preferably draining liquid from the fiber bandthrough openings in the moving surface, flattening out the fiber banddesirably by pinch rolls and printing on both sides of the fiber band inflattened form.

Further purposes appear in the specification and in the claims.

In the drawings no attempt has been made to illustrate all forms of thepresent invention. The single form shown has been chosen because of itsconvenience in illustration, satisfactory operation and cleardemonstration of the principles involved.

Figure 1 is a'diagrammatic front elevation of the preferred form of mynovel print-dyeing and chemical-treating device.

Figure 2 is an enlarged front elevation of the print-dyeing unitillustrated in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a view of the print-dyeing unit of Figure 2 from the leftend thereof.

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary front elevation showing theuppermost print dyeing unit of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary top plan view of the uppermost print dyeingunit as seen in Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary section of Figure 5 on the line.6--6 thereof.

Figure 7. is a fragmentary plan view of the structure shown in Figure 6with the supporting angle broken away.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary left end sectional elevation of the printingmechanism shown in.

Figure 4, with the supporting frame sectioned away, and maybe regardedas a section on the line 8--8 of Figure 4.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary section of the printdyeing mechanism shown inFigure 4 with the press roll and associated structure removed. In

position Figure 9 corresponds to the line 9-9 of Figure 4.

Figure is an enlarged fragment of the surface of the intaglio-engravedprinting roll.

Figure 10a is a fragmentary section of Figure 10 on the line lilo-Illathereof.

-Figure 11 is a diagrammatic side elevation showing the pick-upmechanism 23 which is desirably attached to the prewetting box.

Figure 12 is a diagrammatic illustration of the chemical treatment boxand reservoir with associated circulating means. The mechanism of Figure12 is duplicated with respect to each of the compartments of thechemical treatment box.

In the drawings similar numerals indicate like parts.

substantivity may be defined as the tendency of a.textile fiber to takeup. dye or the like in preference to the liquid of the dye bath, or inother words, to exhaust the dye bath and lower the dye content in the'bath. In the case of natural textile fibers and artificial textilefibers of the comparatively small diameters which have hitherto beencommonly used, substantivity has been a comparatively minor factor inuniformity of color level. In the case of artificial textile fibers oflarge diameter, and particularly those of average diameter between 27and 75 microns, which are specially suited for house furnishing fabricsof the type of fioor coverings and upholstery fabrics, as well assuitings and overcoatings, I find that substantivity becomes a majorfactor in uniformity of color level. This is particularly true inviscose artificial textile fibers but is also true in other artificialtextile fibers such as cuprammonium (which, like viscose, is regeneratedcellulose) and casein fibers.

In the first place, in artificial textile fibers of average diameterbetween 27 and 75 microns, the substantivity is very much morepronounced than in the heretofore common rayons of small diameter. Thisis true with all dyes, direct as well as vat, but is especiallypronounced with vat dyes. This high substantivity causes the fibers toabsorb or combine with dyestuffs more rapidly or to a greater extentthan they take up the liquid of the dye bath, thus causing progressivevariation in the concentration of the dye bath, and, under mass actionprinciples, causing marked variation in dyeing effect upon successiveincrements of fiber introduced into the dye bath. A second factor whichis even more serious than the excessive substantivity of theseartificial textile fibers of large diameter is that they exhibit whollyunpredictable marked variations in substantivity from point to point andat frequent intervals, thus producing marked changes in color levelunless special precautions are taken. It appears that substantivityvariation increases greatly with increase in fiber diameter and out ofproportion to the increase in fiber diameter. substantivity variation ingross artificial textile fibers is exhibited in reference to alldyes-especially vat dyes, but also direct dyes. At the present timeefforts to prevent variations in substantivity by changes in thetechnique of manufacture of the fiber have been unsuccessful whenoperating in the large diameter fibers.

These two conditions, excessively high substantivity and markedvariations in substantivity, have made it impossible to obtain evenclose approaches to uniform color level by ordinary dyeing processes,such for example, as warp dyeing, skein dyeing, package dyeing and piecedyeing applied to gross artificial fibers of the type of viscose andcuprammonium. Fabrics and yarns comprising large diameter substantiveartificial textile fiber which has been dyed by these conventionalmethods exhibit an unevenness in color level which is at once apparent,and so pronounced'as to make it appear that a mottled effect wasdeliberately sought.

The present inventor has discovered that the difficulties due to variantsubstantivity and excessive substantivity in substantive artificialtextile fibers of large diameter may be avoided by forming theartificial textile fiber into a continuous fiat band and applyingmetered'or volumetrically measured quantities of color to successivelengths of the fiber, desirably byprinting from intaglio-engraved rollswhose depressions receive and retain a definite measured quantity ofcolor and apply that'color to a definite predetermined length of theband of fiber.

The term "band is used herein to designate unwoven fiber in continuousstrip form. The band may either consist of artificial textile fiber inthe form of a rope or bundle obtained from the filament extrusionmachine after suitable treatment such as desulphurizing, bleaching andwashing, or it may consist of a sliver coming from a raw preparationprocess such as carding, combing or'gilling, or it may be a warp or warpunit of several yarn ends. The rope, bundle, sliver or warp may comedirectly and continuously from the mechanism on which'it was prepared orit may come rolled into a spool, ball, cake, roll, cheese or rolledwarp.

It is considered that the best application of the invention will be toropes or bundles of substantive continuous filament. which are not to beconverted into staple fiber until after treatment by the presentprocess, and to warps.

While the widest application of the invention is believed to be tosubstantive artificial textile fiber of average diameter between 27 and'75 microns, certain features of the invention may also be applied tosubstantive artificial textile fiber of smaller or larger deniers and towool of all deniers, particularly carpet wool, as well as other naturalfibers which exhibit substantivity.

By the processes of the invention, each unit length of fiber in bandform receives an equal measured amount of color on each side of theband. It is usually desirable to make several (at least two)applications of measured quantities of color to each unit length of aparticular side of the band of fiber. In the preferred form of theinvention this is accomplished by printing first on one side, then onthe second side, then again on the one side and finally again on thesecond side.

The color used is desirably in the form of a viscous liquid or paste dyewhich can readily be printed in measured quantities on both sides of thefiber band progressively as the band advances. When the term solid coloris used in this application, it is not intended to refer to theviscosity of the color, that is, it does not indicate whether or not thecolor is non-liquid in form; the term solid color" indicates that, inany given case, the color is all of one tone.

The measured quantities of color are desirably predetermined to be belowthe quantity required by the substantivity of the particular length ofthe fiber band to which the color is to be applied. Thus, in theordinary case there remains, even after the printing application, anunsatisfied substantivity which does no harm to *asemao the color levelbecause it does not encounter available color to take up.

The feature of supplying color at a rate below the substantivity of thefiber in the case of these fibers of excessively high substantivity isparticularly important in the case of deep shades such as black ormagenta. Of course, if the quantity of color supplied at a particularpoint exceeded the substantivity, whereas the quantity supplied at otherpoints was below the substan-- tivity, there would be abnormal loss ofcolor in washing at the point where the substantivity was exceeded andunevenness in color level would result. It is, therefore, best tooperate at all times below the substantivity of the fiber.

Where there is variation in the substantivity, this unsatisfiedsubstantivity will vary along the length of the fiber but will do noharm because it does not encounter additional color, the amount of colorsupplied to each unit length being metered and equal.

In order to obtain the full advantage of the invention, the color shouldbe fixed immediately after it is applied so that there will not be anysubstantial opportunity for color to flow in the fiber band from a pointof comparatively low substantivity to a point of comparatively highsubstantivity, thus rendering the color level uneven.

The intaglio-engraved rolls employed in the present invention areengraved all over and not merely engraved-in certain places as in thecase of rolls used for printing pattern effects.

It is quite important in the present invention to maintain volumetriccontrol over the color application to the band of fibers, and this ispossible with an engraved roll having depressions of definite size and adoctor blade which ensures that the color merely fills the depressions.This accurate control is not possible with padding where a smooth orabsorbent roll picks up a var-iant amount of color, depending on theviscosity of the dye, the absorbabillty of the fibers and various otherconditions. Likewise, no volumetr c control of color application can beobtained where the fibers are carried through the reservoir of colorpaste.

While the present inventions method of control of color application isvolumetric, it will be understood that, given uniform density,volumetric control -will necessarily result in control over weight, andvolumetric uniformity of distribution will mean uniformity ofdistribution by weight.

After the printing of color upon the the color will be desirablyimmediately fixed, the method of fixing depending upon the particulardye used. Ordinarily the fiber bandwill pass directly through an ager orsteamer in which it 'will be exposed to steam at a temperature dependingupon the dyestuff, suitably 212 to 215 F. for a time of 4 to 5 minutesin the case ora vat dye, and at a somewhat lower'temperature for alonger time, for instance 180 to 190 F. for 8 to 10 minutes, in the caseof a direct or acid dye. The finishing treatment of the dye will varywith the dyestuff as well known in the art. For example, with a vatdyestuff the treatment may consist of'oxidizing with an oxidizing agentsuch as hydrogen peroxide and then passing through hot soap solutionwhile in the case of a direct or acid dye there would normally betreatment with cold neutral soap solution followed by a rinse.

From the standpoint of convenience and manufiber band, i

facturlng economy, it is very desirable to proceed with further chemicaltreatment direct-1y upon the fiber band after it leaves the printingmechanism and its associated fixing units. Where sizing is to be appliedon unspun fiber there is a further important advantage in proceeding atonce with the sizing or finish coating.

During the printing, the steaming in the ager and the treatment in thefixing baths, certain opportunities develop for crimping forces tobecome effective. supplied to the printing device will have beenpreviously crimped, for example, by the rayon manufacturer. Whatever thesource of the crimping. whether previously deliberately applied orincidental to the operations performed herein, it is very desirable thatcrimping be preserved for its advantages during spinning and for itseffect upon the final yarn and fabric.

Application of sizing prior to spinning assures that the effect of thesizing or finish coating will be present during spinning to maintain thecrimp, whereas this is not true if the sizing is not applied until afterthe spinning of the fiber into yarn. Furthermore, if sizing is appliedbefore spinning, the-sizing will increase the covering power by settingthe fiber in its unspun condition, so that after spinning the fiberswill tend to untwist, thus forming a loftier yarn of greater coveringpower. I

The application of the urea formaldehyde or other resinous sizing beforespinning is very important where the fibers are to be employed in thepile of a pile fabric such as a carpet or rug.'

The stable condition of the fibers is the condition reached after theresinous sizing is cured, and the fibers tend to return to their unspuncondition in the out pile to a much greater degree than when the fibersare untreated or treated by any other method, thus assuring increasedloftiness in the pile. There i a further advantage of applying the colorand the sizing to the fiber in unspun condition. Although the printdyeing removes all pronounced unevenness in color level, draftingsubsequent to print dyeing has the effect of eliminating any slightirregularities in color level which may nevertheless remain, and alsoenables color corrections to be made in the entire lot after a samplehas been run.

' For these and other reasons it is very desirable to proceed directlywith the sizing or other desired chemical treatment as a step followingthe print dyeing during the continuous travel of the band. Lessadvantageously, however, the sizing or other chemical treatment canprecede the print dyeing. It will also be understood that even whereprint dyeing is not being employed, continuou sizing or chemicaltreatment in accordance with the present processes may desirably beused.

In the present invention it is preferred to employ urea formaldehyde,although any other suitable resinous sizing such as thiourea form-'aldehde, phenol formaldehyde, or the like might be employed and thedisclosure of resinous sizing herein is generic. Urea formaldehyde ismuch superior to other resinous sizings.

The resinous sizing, for example urea formaldehde, desirably serves tomaintain crimp as previously explained. The urea formaldehyde also tendsto make the pile fibers of cut pile fabrics return to or approach theirunspun condition as previously explained, imparting loftiness.

Unless precautions are taken in applying the urea formaldehyde, it willpenetrate the fibers Also in many cases the fiber initially and markedlyincrease the brittleness. 'To prevent such increase in-brittleness, Iwill preferably use only urea formaldehyde in an advanced stage ofpolymerization, in which condition the resin will not penetrate butmerely coat the fibers, and will not increase the brittleness.

Urea formaldehyde may desirably be applied to the fiber in an aqueoustreating bath by passing the band of fiber through the bath. Thepreparation of the liquid resin (or the unpolymerized liquid mixture ofresin ingredients) will preferably be as follows:

Formaldehyde and urea in proportions of about 1.8 molecular quantitiesof formaldehyde to 1.0 molecular quantity of urea are brought togetherat about 130 F. in a suitable quantity of water and in the absence of acatalyst. A pH of about 9 is maintained. When the product is condensedto the desired degree, a suitable catalyst such as ammonium acidphosphate is added and the resultant product is ready for application tothe textile fiber. A treating temperature of 90 to 110 F. isrecommended.

It is not ordinarily desirable to employ more than of urea formaldehydeonthe weight of the fiber. Up to 5% of urea formaldehyde on the weightof the fiber may be employed without embrittlement if care is taken tosee that the urea formaldehyde coats without penetration.

In addition to the sizing, other suitable chemical treatments may beapplied in the same bath or in a separate bath, such as finish coating,delustering, lubricating and waterproofing.

A special after treatment is employed to fix or cure the ureaformaldehyde. The after treatment used will ordinarily be as follows:

1. Drying 2. Curing 3. Washing 4. Drying The initial drying willdesirably be accom-' are to avoid fiber degradation effects of the acidand also to remove excess formaldehyde which, if present on the fiber athigh temperature, tends toward an embrittling effect.

After curing, the fiber is washed with water to remove products ofdecomposition resulting from the curing. The washed product is thendried at the most economical temperature, prefgrably about 212 F. wetbulb and 250 F. dry

ulb.

. Where the product under treatment is unspun fiber, the moisturecontent at the completion of the final drying operation is a matter ofimportance. When the product comes from the drier in substantially dryform and is subsequently converted into yarn by cutting into staplefiber lengths, if not already cut, drafting and spinning, it has beenfound that the fiber produced. in accordance with the, invention isdifilcult to manipulate. Where the treatment with urea formaldehyde asabove described has been used, the fiber, if substantially dry, behavesliie wire in carding and is practically unspinnable in that form.Lubrication with oil or with emulsion. and ordinary types of moisturetreatment such as sprinkling or exposure to moisture for a few hours areof no benefit.

This condition can be corrected by exposure to moisture at roomtemperature for 36 to 48 hours, with some reduction in time if elevatedtemperatures are used. The present inventor has discovered, however,that the whole difficulty can be avoided and the material renderedimmediately and normally splnnable on either the woolen or the worstedsystem, if the drying operationbe terminated when the moisture contenthas been reduced to not less than 12%, and preferably not less than 15%of the dry weight of the fiber. The upper limit of moisture content willnormally be 30% and preferably 25% of the dry weight of the fiber.

The advantages concerning sizing with resin given in this applicationwould in general apply not only to the artificial fibers for which it ischiefly intended, but, to a less pronounced extent to comparable fibersof wool, lute, etc. The methods of sizing with resin for the naturalfibers would be similar.

The fiber band after completion of the print dyeing and sizing ascontinuous steps, may be subsequently manipulated in any manner desired.If the fi-ber is inthe form of a bundle or rope of continuous filament,it will normally be cut into staple lengths, drafted and Spun. If thefiber already is in the form of a sliver or roving of staple fiber,.itwill be drafted and spun. The fiber treated herein may be blended withany other suitable fiber as desired. If the fiber is in the form of awarp or warp unit, it may be used directly for weaving or otherprocedure of producing fabric (for example, by cementing to a backingfor production of a cemented pile fabric) The yarn may also be plied tocombine several ends.

In the apparatus as shown in Figure 1, the material undergoing treatmentis drawn from any suitable source here illustrated as a creel 20. Theraw material is drawn off in the form of a band and may, as alreadyexplained, actually be a rope, bundle, roving, sliver, warp, or thelike.

The band 2| may be printed dry but will ordinarily undergo prewetting inthe treatment box 22 from which it is withdrawn by a pick-up mechanism23, later to be described, which assists in forming a fiat band. Aconsiderable quantity of band will normally remain fan-folded in thetreatment box 22, being drawn out at a rate determined by the speed ofmovement of the rolls 23', which are operated by means not shownsynchronized with the printing rolls. The prewetting box in the case ofrayon will normally merely contain water, but in the case of wool ascouring agent followed by a suitable rinse may be employed at thispoint. From the treatment box 22 the flat-band 21 is carried over anidler 24 to the printing mechanism 25 consisting of printing units 26,21, 28, and 29 arranged one above another on a frame 30.

The printing units .26 and 28 print on the right-hand side of theupwardly directed span of fiber band shown in Figure 1, while theprinting units 21 and 29 print on the left-hand side of this span. Fromthe printer 25 the fiber band proceeds to dye-fixing mechanism startingwith an ager or steamer 3| of any suitable well-known type provided withguide rolls 32, driven in any suitable manner, and normally suppliedwith steam by means not shown.

As already explained the character of the fixing treatment will dependupon the dye used. In this example the fiber band passes from the agersuccessively through an oxidizer 33, a soaper 34, and rinses 35 and 36.Each of these treatment boxes 33 to 36 may be of any well-known type,and here are provided with feed rolls 31,

' driven inany suitable manner and carrying the fiber band betweencompartments 38 and 39, each of which has a partition 40 separating theoutgoing from the incoming portions of the fiber band.

From the dye-fixing mechanism the fiber band is progressed to the sizingbox 4! in which urea formaldehyde is contained in solution orsuspension. I The most eflicient temperature of operation in thetreatment box 4| is from 90 to 110 F. To maintain this temperature andto maintain uniformit of the treating liquor, the treating liquor ineach compartment of the treatment box El is continuously drawn off at apump 42 (Figure 12) and connections 43 to a reservoir 44, jacketed at 45by hot water. The reservoir 44 contains urea formaldehyde of the samecomposition as that in the treatment box. Treating liquor continuouslyfiows through the pipe connection 46 to the compartments of the treatingbox. The fresh treating liquor from the reservoir 44 is introduced bythe pipe 46 on the outgoing side of each compartment of the treatmentbox ll, thus applying the countercurrent principle.

From the treating box M the fiber band desirably passes through a drier41 of any suitable type and heated by any suitable means, not shown. Thedrier will normally operate at a temperature not exceeding 120 F. wetbulb. From the drier 47 the fiber band progresses to a curer 48maintained at a more elevated temperature, suitably between 270 F. and300 F. dry bulb. From the curer 48 the fiber band passes through uitablewashing units, desirably consisting of a soaper t9 and rinsing boxes 50and 55. From the washing units the fiber band is carried to a drier 52operated at the most economical temperature, preferably about 212 F. wetbulb and 250 F. dry bulb. The fiber is withdrawn from the drier 52before its moisture content has dropped below about 12% and preferablybefore it has dropped below 15% of the dry weight of the fiber. From thedrier 52 the fiber band passes to an suitable take-up mechanism, hereshown as a windup 53, or directly to a preparation or spinningapparatus.

Special precautions are taken to insure that the fiber band which comesto the printing mechanism is substantially of uniform thickness. If thefiber band were withdrawn from the liquid without taking any precautionin this respect, the effect of the surface tension of the liquid wouldresult in producing a circular or oval cross section of the band and theflattening action of the flattening rolls would produce a band spreadout due to the action of the liquid. The spread fiber band is thencarried up over the upper surface of the drum until it is above thesurface of the liquid, adhesion to the surface of the drum overcomingthe tendency of the fiber band to assume a circular or oval cross.section when leaving the liquid. The drum surface is desirably ormetallic screen wire 51 or other foraminated material so that liquidfrom the fiber band will drain through the drum as the band travels withthe drum. The point at which the fiber band leaves the drum is wellabove the surface of the liquid. After leaving the drum the fiber bandis flattened by pinch rolls 55', and then is printed on both sides bythe printing mechanism.

The printing mechanism is best seen in 3 to 10, inclusive.

The printing units 26 to 29 inclusive each include an intaglio engravedprinting roll 59, suitably of copper. The roll 59, as best seen inFigures 10 and 1011,, has channels 61! extending over its entiresurface. These channels are preferably set at an angle of approximately45 to the axis of the roll as shown. Each channel is substantiallyidentical and, when the printing roll is engaged by the furmshing rolland wiped by the doctor blade, each channel 60 contains substantiallythe same measured quantity of color.

Figur 65 In printing artificial textile fiber of large di-- ameter, ithas been found to be desirable to employ channels approximatelyten-thousandths of an inch deep, and to use twenty-eight channels perinch on the circumference of the roll. It is not, however, intended tolimit to these dimensions, but merely to state them by way of example. 7

Each printing roll 59 is mounted in fixed bearings 6| on horizontalportions 52 of the frame 30. The fiber band 21 engages the surface ofeach printing roll 59 and the opposite surface of the fiber band isengaged by a press roll 63, suitably of rubber or other resilientmaterial, rotating in bearings 64.

66 and which carry, at the ends distant from the bearings 64, weights 6!whose size determines the pressure of the press roll 63 against theprinting roll. The press roll 63 may be swung from its operativeposition to its inoperative position when a new fiber bandis to bethreaded through the machine.

The printing roll 59 is normally engaged by a furnishing roll 68 ofrubber or metal which rotates in bearings 69 forming the ends of bellcranks 10 which are pivoted at N and Whose distant endsv carry weightsI2 determining the pressure of the furnishing roll against the printingroll. The lower edge of thefurnishing roll 68 dips into dye within the.trough-like color reservoir 13 pivotally supported on bell cranks 14which are pivoted at 15 and counterweighted at 16. The position of thecolor reservoir 13 is adjustably determined by depending arms 11 pivotedat II and having claw extensions 78, which engage and lie on each sideof studs 19 secured to the lower portion of the color reservoir.Adjustment of the position of the color reservoir is made by thumb nuts80.

Engaging the printing roll 59 at its lower side between the furnishingroll and the press roll, there is a doctor blade 8i, supported on anangle 82 fixed to stub shafts 83 and 84, which extend through slidingbearings 85 in the ends of bell cranks 86 pivoted at 8'! and carryingweights The bearings 64 form the ends of bell cranks 65 which arepivoted at printing roll shaft by a gear 92 driving a gear 93 preferablyintegral with the cam; The cam rotates in a bearing 94. The cam follower95 is on the end of a lever 06 pivoted at 91 in hearing 98 and theopposite end of the lever carries a socket 99 which in operativeposition engages and surrounds the stub shaft 83 between the collars Iand IN. Thus as the printing roll turns, the cam 9i produces lateralreciprocation of the doctor blade.

When the doctor blade is moved into inoperative position about the pivot81, the shaft 83 leaves its position of engagement with the socket 99,returning to proper position when the bell cranks 86 are rocked to theirnormal operative position.

In each printing unit the printing roll is driven directly, the pressroll idles, and the furnishing roll is driven from the printing roll byinterconnecting gears I02 and I03. The press rolls are driven by a maindrive shaft I04 having a pulley I connected by a belt I06 to a pulleyI01 on a shaft I08 turning in bearings I09. The shaft I08 carries threedriven pulleys IIO, III and H2. The pulley IIO connects by a belt 3 to.a pulley H4 on the shaft of the third printing roll (counting from thebottom). The pulley III connects by a belt 5 to a pulley H6 on the shaftof the first or lowermost printing roll. The pulley II2 connects by acrossed belt in to a, pulley II8 on a shaft H9 in bearings I20. Theshaft H9 also carries pulleys I 2| and I22. The pulley I2I connects by abelt I23 to a pulley I24 on the shaft of the fourth or upper printingroll and the pulley I22 connects by a belt I25 to a pulley I28 on thesecond printing roll.

It will be evident that in all cases the printing rolls are rotated soas to carry the fiber band upward.

In operation the fiber band is carried between the respective printingrolls and press rolls and the press rolls are moved into their pressureposition against the printing rolls.

The furnishing rolls and doctor blades are like-- wise moved intoengagement with the press rolls and the color reservoirs are positionedand filled with dye paste or the like. The fiber band is carried throughthe other units of the mechanism including the washing and treatingboxes, and the driers and curer.

I believe that I am the first to apply solid color to both sides of afiber band in quantities volumetrically related to the length of theband.

I also believe that I am the first continuously to print and size atravelling fiber band.

In view of my invention and disclosure, variations and modifications tomeet individual whim -or particular need will doubtless become evidentto others skilled in the art, to obtain all or part of the benefits ofmy invention without copying the process shown, and I, therefore, claimall such in so far as they fall within the reasonable spirit and scopeof my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. The process of producing yarn, which comprises forming textile fiberinto a continuous band, uniform in thickness, of unspun fibers, applyingequal volumetrically measured quantities of solid color in fluid form tosuccessive equal lengths on both sides of the band, continuouslyapplying sizing to the fibers of the band and, subsequently to theapplication of the color and of the sizing, spinning the fibers intoyarn with accompanying drafting.

2. The process of producing yarn, which comprises forming a continuousfiat band of unspun artificial textile fibers, continuously applyingsolid color in fluid form to both sides of the band by intaglioprinting, fixing the color on the fibers, continuously applying resinoussizing to the fibers, fixing the resinous sizing on the fibers andsubsequently spinning the fibers with accompanyin drafting, the stepsbeing performed in the order named, thereby the sizing aids inmaintaining any crimp during spinning and the subsequent spinningcorrects any differences in color level.

3. The process of producing yarn, which comprises forming a continuousfiat band of unspun textile fibers, apply n solid color in fiuid form tothe fibers of the band by intaglio printing on both sides of the band,fixing the color, applying urea formaldehyde to the fibers of the band,fixing the urea formaldehyde and subsequently spinning the fibers intoyarn with accompanying drafting.

CHARLES H. MASLAND, 2ND.

